Nimrod Fortress

Nimrod Fortress is a medieval castle on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon, overlooking the Golan Heights at 800 m elevation. Built around 1228 by Al-Aziz Uthman, nephew of Saladin, to defend Damascus against the Sixth Crusade, the complex measures 420 m long by 150 m wide. It features massive squared stone blocks, 90 arches, rectangular and semi-circular towers, and a 27-metre secret passage. Sultan Baybars and his officer Bilik expanded the fortress after 1260, reinforcing it with additional towers and gates. It was named after the biblical Nimrod by Druze settlers in the 19th century.